Terrell, Frederick Leopold – March 1916

1 March
… Mounted guard at 2 P.M. was relieved. This is the punishment being meted out to us Sappers for putting in application to be promoted to drivers.

2 March
Had the pleasure of being in the same tent as prisoners 6 hours …

3 to 5 March
… Were put in a tent which was tenanted by 3 prisoners for 4 hours. I feel such ill treatment The  treatment meted out to sappers under Bracegirdle could not be worse if we ourselves were prisoners as our tent has to be used for them. Troops are making a move, many 1000s of them.

6 March
A splendid day, reinforcements arrived yesterday, and some more today. There is a rumor afloat that 50 men are going to be drafted out of N.B.T. into Engineers, I only hope I am one.

7 March
Terrible suspense, on account of so many applications in for transfers every body is eager to get away from the clutches of his Satanic Majesty Bracegirdle

9 March
same old routine, still on guard, have not heard result of request Only 8 men have been selected for the Engineers.

11 March
Had from 10 a.m to 6 P.M off and made the best use of my time in endeavoring to get out of this cold footed unit which has a cold footed commander at its head…

12 March
Received letter from Cousin Ruby, Dated 19 Jan. she states she has sent 4 letters & P.C. But have only received 2 letters

14 March
Received letters from Clara and Mother, started answer Clara’s but did not finish. Had the pleasure of once again having prisoners thrown among us …

16 March
… Went to the Moving Pictures in the evening, returned to camp at 8.30 P.M, mounted guard at 12 P.M.

17 March
I am feeling very miserable, Things appear to be in a terrible muddle with our train and nothing seems to go right we seem more nuisance than a benefit

19 March
Had 12 hours leave. Went out with Ralph Butcher

20 March
… received a parcel from Clara. Dated 9 Feb,

21 March
Had the pleasure of being removed from guard as it is a very monotonous job and not relished by many.

23 March
Very warm, summer is approaching, and one has a fairly warm time of it here, with no shelter, only a thin tent which is like an oven.

29 March
We were told yesterday that our unit is in a very precarious position, on account of our Commander not allowing this unit to be handled under military rule, and we may be smashed up shortly

30 March 
There are numbers of our chaps transferring into the Artillery, I am also putting in for same as, promotion seems very remote here

31 March
Went down to Tel-el-Kibir to fix up about transferring to 12th Brigade Artillery 4 Division and was successful at that end, everything lays with our commander whether we go.